John Edwards indicted in campaign finance case

Saturday, June 04, 2011 - 01:32

June 3 - Former Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards was indicted on Friday for using nearly $1 million in illegal campaign funds to help cover up an extramarital affair during his White House bid. Jon Decker reports.

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In a fall from grace for a man once expected to go far in American politics, former Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards was indicted on Friday for using nearly $1 million in illegal campaign funds to help cover up an extramarital affair during his White House bid.
Edwards was charged with six counts, including conspiracy, illegal campaign contributions and making false statements to federal officials.
After making a brief appearance in District Court in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, he told reporters he was innocent of the charges.
(SOUNBITE) (English) FORMER U.S. SENATOR AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE JOHN EDWARDS SAYING:
"There's no question that I've done wrong and I take full responsibility for having done wrong. And I will regret for the rest of my life the pain and the harm that I've caused to others. But I did not break the law and I never, ever thought that I was breaking the law."
The indictment accuses Edwards of secretly obtaining hundreds of thousands of dollars and using it to help cover up his extramarital affair with a campaign worker.
Each count carries a sentence of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Jon Decker, Reuters.

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